Abolish the Casey Commission into adult social care

We believe the Casey Commission is a barrier to desperately needed social care reform, a delaying mechanism and a waste of taxpayer’s money. We want the Government to abolish the commission and instead focus on resolving the social care crisis, preferably on a cross-party basis.

Social care is in crisis. It is estimated that around 2 million people over 65 are not getting the support they need and estimates of around 11% of hospital beds filled with people ready for discharge. We feel the Commission was never needed, as there have been at least 25 other inquiries since 1997, with multiple public consultations. We feel all the options for reform and funding options are already in the public domain. The Government should abolish the Commission and act now.

Adult social care needs deep reform. There have been plenty of good ideas and attempts over the years from political parties of all colours to try and solve the complex and deep-rooted issues that exist. However, despite numerous inquiries, consultations and reform efforts, the fundamental issue of social care has been considered ‘too difficult’ for far too long. Care of our most vulnerable is too important, and with ever increasing demand for adult social care services, we cannot afford to allow this to happen any longer.

That is why the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, which is independent of the Government and chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, is so vital. It is building national and political consensus by working with people who draw on care and their families, staff, political parties, parliamentarians, local government and the public, private and third sectors, so that it can recommend a long-term vision for a national care service that transforms adult social care and works for everyone for decades to come. The Prime Minister’s request of Baroness Casey to facilitate a national conversation and political consensus on the future of reform sets it apart from inquiries and consultations previously delivered.

The Commission has already made significant progress. Baroness Casey and her secretariat have carried out extensive engagement to gain a deep understanding of social care and hear from those with first-hand experience of the system, speaking with over 400 people and organisations from across the country. Baroness Casey has also held the first cross-party engagement on adult social care reform, setting us on the path to achieve political consensus for long-term reform.